Washing apparatus



July 28, 1953 Filed July 20, 1950 P. E. WHITTINGTON 2,646,585

WASHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 1953 P. E. WHITTINGTON 2,646,585

WASHING APPARATUS Filed July 20, 1950 2 Sheets-S11E61; 2

INVENTOR' Quill. gwhimnql on ATTORNEY l atentecl July 28, 1953 the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army A Application July 20, 1950, Serial No. 174,984

14 Claims. (01. 15-74) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

see. 266) The invention described herein, if patented,

may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon;

' The present invention relates to washing apparatus, and more particularly to a washing or prefiushing apparatus for dishes and other tableware, although not necessarily restricted to this use.

In the washing of dishes with the usual dishwasher, it is customary to first scrape scraps from;

the dishes into agarbage can and then place the dishes in baskets to be placed in the washer. This method results'in many scraps being left on the dishes to foul the water in thedishwasher and make washing very difficult. Furthermore, tableware will frequently be scraped into the garbage can with the scraps and become lost.

It is therefore desirable to prefiush the dishes to remove scraps, and to salvage any tableware vision of a device of the above-mentioned character which is of simple construction and operation, inexpensive to manufacture, and efficient and durable in use.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and wherein like characters of reference denote like parts through-.

out,

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through an apparatus embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof,

Figure 3 is a detail fragmentary sectional view illustrating the basket recess through which passes the pump discharge pipe, Y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modified arrangement of the pump discharge pipe,

Figure 5 is a similar View showing another modified arrangement of the pump discharge 2 V Figure 6 is a fragmentary'horizontal sectional view'taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, and

, showing a flexible packing ring surrounding the top ringvof the basket,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the packing ring for engaging the top of the basket, 1 v

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one method of centering the work tray,

Figure 9 is a top plan view illustrating a modified form of work tray, and,

Figure 10 is a; fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line Ill-'40 of Figure 9.

In the drawings; wherein for the'purpose'of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of V the invention, the numeral I l designates the easing of the apparatus which "may be of any suitable shape but which is preferably of generally cylindrical form. The casing H may be supported in any suitable manner, but is preferably provided with legs i2 which are adjustable as to length. 7 The casing is provided near its top withan outwardly flared portion [3 terminating in a short cylindrical top or rim portion [4 having a radial exterior flange 5 at its upper end adapted to be secured to the underside of the counter or table top 16. Due to the outwardly-"flared casing section l3, the upper cylindrical rim portion of the casing is of considerably greater diameter than the main body portion of casing II. t

A horizontal imperforate platform or disc 17, forming a work surface, is removably supported Within the top of the casing at a point spaced below the topof the rim 14 substantially in the plane of the top of flared portion [3. The platform I! rests upon a plurality of wedgeshaped supports I8 secured to the flared surface I3 by any suitable means, and the disc has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the main casing portion I I and less than the internal diameterof the upper rim I4, whereby an annular. space 19 is provided between the periphery of disc I! and the inner surface of the top portion of the casing. The space or gap I9 may be of. any desired width but a width of 1 inches has been found to be satisfactory.

Any suitable means, such'as notches 20 in supports l8, may be provided to center the disc ll within the top of the casing. Suitable reinforcements 2| may be provided on the bottom surface of disc I! toprevent warping or bending of the disc. I

Water-from an outside shame of bat and sold,

source of power such as an electric motor 2 1 preferably arranged exteriorly of the casing and having its shaft passed through the wall of the casing at 25. A water discharge pipe 26 extends from the outlet of the pump, up the wall of the casing to the space 49 where it terminates in a discharge nozzle 2? disposed a short distance above the top of disc ii and preferably below the top of casing rim M. The water discharge pipe 26 is secured to the inner wall of the casing by any suitable means, and as shown in Figure 1, follows the contour of the casing wall from the pump to the space it near the top of the casing. The pump 23 is so designed that a low velocity stream of Water will issue upwardly from discharge nozzle 21 and fall upon the top of disc 11. Such water will flow over the disc and down through space it into the casing i l to be recirculated by pump 23.

A suitable drain pipe 28 is secured to the exterior wall of the casing, and has a drain opening 29 communicating with the interior of casing II at a point spaced a substantial distance above the bottom of the casing, to determine the upper level of water in the bottom of casing II. An air vent and emergency drain opening 30 connects the drain pipe to the interior of the casing at a point adjacent the topthereof, so that in case opening 29 becomes clogged, the casing will not overflow. A bottom drain 3| is employed to empty the casing, and is normally closed by any suitable valve mechanism, such as a spring pressed valve 32 operated by suitable means such as a rod or wire 33.

A foraminous basket 34 is removably disposed within casing II and is supported with its bottom immediately above the water level in the casing, by means of suitable brackets 35. The basket 34 is provided at its top with suitable handles 36, and may comprise. wire or other mesh side and bottom walls secured to a top ring or frame 31 of metal or other rigid material. The basket 34 fits snugly within the casing and extends from a point immediately above the water level to a point spaced 2. short distance below the flared portion l3. In order to insure a snug fit of the basket within the casing, one side of the basket may be recessed at 38 to fit closely about the water discharge pipe 26, as shown in Figure 3.

In Figure l, a bracket 39 is shown as secured to the inner side of casing rim l4, extending upwardly and radially inwardly above disc [1, and is provided at its inner end with a detachable brush, sponge or the like 4!). The bracket 39 is spaced a substantial distance above the disc ll while the brush or the like 40 is arranged at a point immediately adjacent the edge of the stream of water from discharge nozzle 21. If desired, the stream of water may be directed onto the brush 40, but this arrangement is not necessary.

In Figure 4 is shown a slightly modified arrangementof the pump discharge pipe 26. ,Instead of following the inside contour of the casing II, the pipe 26 may pass upwardly through the side wall of the casing at a point 4! below the bottom of the basket and back into the casing at the seats.

a point 42 near the upper end of flared casing portion 13, the portion of the pipe 23 arranged exteriorly of the casing being suitably braced as by brackets 43. The points 4| and 42 where pipe 26 passes through the casing walls are sealed against passage of water in any suitable manner. With this arrangement of pump discharge pipe 7 25, the basket 34 may be fit more closely to the casing than with the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 5 and 6 is shown another modification of the pump discharge pipe 26 in which the casing wall II is channeled at 44 from a point below the bottom of basket 34 to the lower end of flared portion 13. The discharge pipe 26 fits snugly into the channel 44 so that the basket 34 need not be recessed to fit closely to the pipe 25.

In Figures 6 and 7 a sealing or packing strip is illustrated for use where it is desired to positively prevent passage of any water or scraps between the basket and casing walls. The annular packing strip may be used with any of the pump discharge pipe arrangements but for purposes of illustration is shown as used with the channeled casing illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The packing strip comprises a ring body 45 of some flexible material such as rubber, the ring body being provided with a groove 46 in its lower side to receive the frame ring 31 of the basket 34. An upper exterior annular flange 4-1 is adapted to engage the inner wall of the casing and due to its flexibility will fit closely against the casing.

Suitable projections 48 are provided to fit tightly about the discharge pipe 26. The packing ring may be easily applied and removed from the basket.

A modification of the imperforate disc I? is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. The disc H is concave sides of the ridge come together at the top of the ridge to form a pointed top edge, as seen in Figure 10. In operation the ridge 49 is disposed with one of its ends aligned with the discharge nozzle 21 so that the stream of water from the discharge nozzle will extend longitudinally of the ridge 49 and will fall upon the ridge, passing down the curved sides of the ridge. The ridge acts to minimize splashing when the water stream falls upon the disc.

When the ridge disc is employed, it is necessary that the ridge 49 be properly aligned with the nozzle 2?. This may be done by the operator when he positions the disc upon supports l8, but it is preferable to provide means to prevent improper positioning. Various means may be provided to simplify placing of the disc in the proper position, and in Figure 10 one such method is illustrated which has the advantage of not obstructing the gap 19. The supports 18' are secured to the underside of the disc H, rather than to the casing as in Figure 1, and suitable cleats 5d are provided on the flared inner surface l3 of the casing to provide a seat for the supports 18. The supports are shown as four in number, two opposite supports being made of less thickness than the other two supports. The cleats 50 are arranged to seat the narrow supports and consequently the wider supports cannot be fitted into Only one support need be narrower than the others and only one seat need be prolocation of the drain port 29.

, of the easin into basket 34.

vided. Any number of supports may be used, although three or four are preferred, and by closing the lower end of the seat it also acts as a disc centering device. 7 y i In operation, flushing fluid such as water is fed into the casing throughnozzle'22 until the desired level is reached, which will-be determined by the With the'basket 34 and imperforate disc I! in place the pumpis started and water pumped through discharge pipe .16 and nozzle 27.

Soiled dishes and other table! ware may be flushed and scraps and debris flushed from the dishes under the low velocity stream of water issuing from nozzle 21, and if desired, the dishes maybe rubbed against brush or sponge -40 to remove any scraps that adhere'to the dish. As the disc I? is flat and imperforate, waterwill flow over the disc to its edges and through gap i9, down the inclined surface of flared portion I 3 The scraps from the soiled dishes will be carried into the basket where they will be retained while the water passes through the basket into the bottom of the casing to be recirculated by pump 23. Any silverware inadvertently left on the dishes, etc., will remain upon the disc 17, being too heavy to be washed away. The gap I9 is of such size that it would be very difficult for any silverware to drop through into the basket, where it would be thrown away with the scraps. disc may be removed from time to time. When the device is used for flushing, the dishes after flushing are placed in trays or baskets, which may be supported upon the counter I6, for passage through the usual washing machine. the dishes may be washed under the stream of water rather than merely flushed. After use, the disc i? may be removed for cleaning, the gap 19 providing a space for the fingers in gripping and removing the disc. With the disc removed, the basket containing the scraps and debris may be lifted out of the casing by grasping handles 36, and emptied. Valve 32 may then be opened to empty the casing of water, and the casing flushed out.

An important feature of thepresent invention is the flared upper end of the casing which permits the use of an imperforate disc of as great or greater diameter than the basket while providing a gap between the disc and easing walls for the passage of water and scraps. The gap [9 obviates the necessity for perforations in the disc which might become clogged by table scrapsand debris, and also permits removal of the disc without the provision of handle members on the disc. The location of the supports 18 in the enlarged upper end of the casing permits removal of the basket without obstruction. v

In normal use, the arrangement of the basket and pipe 26 shown in Figure 1 will insure a sufficiently close fit of the basket in the casing to prevent the passage of scraps past the basket. The modified arrangements shown in Figures 4 and 5 will produce a closer fit of the basket while the use of the packing strip 45 with any of the pipe arrangements will positively prevent the passage of any scraps past the basket. The ridged disc may be used advantageously to minimize splashing, and is intended to be used with any of the forms of the invention illustrated and described.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made The silverware left upon the.

If desired,

6 wlthoutdeparting from the "spirit of the iiivrl tion or the scope of the subjoined claims.

IcIaim; .1. In a device of. the character described, :a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and spaced from the upper and lower ends thereof, an imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in said casing and spaced above said basket, said platform having a substantially plane upper work surface, the edges of said platform being spaced from the adjacent walls of the casing to provide a substantially continuous relatively narrow gap about the-edge of the platform, andmeans to play a tion of the casing.

stream ofliquid upon the imperforate platform whereby'said liquid will flow over the edges of said platform and through the gap to the basket. In adevice of the character described, a

casing, a foraminous basket removably supported 'in said casing and spaced from the upper and lower ends thereof, an' imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in said casing and spacedabovesaid basket, said platform having a substantially plane upper work surface, the edges of the platform being spaced from the adjacent walls of the casing to provide a substan tially continuous and relatively narrow gap about the edge of the platform, means to supply liquid to the casing, a discharge nozzle disposed to play a stream of liquid upon the platform, and a liquid pump connecting said discharge nozzle with the portion of the casingbelow the basket to recirculate liquid from the casing through the nozzle, whereby liquid falling upon said platform will flow over the edges of said platform and through the gap and basket to the'lower por- 3. In a dish scrapping device, a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and disposed in spaced relationto the upper and lower ends thereof, an imperforate horizontal platform having a substantially plane upper work surface and havinga diameter substantially less than the internal diameter of the upper portion of the casing, means to removably support and center the platform in the upper'portion of the casing in spaced relation above the basket, whereby a substantially continuous gap is provided'between the platform and the adjacent walls of the casing, and means to play a stream of water upon the upper surface of the platform whereby said water will flow over the edges of the plat-- form and through the gap to the basket.

4. In a dish scrapping device, a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and disposed in spaced relation to the upper and lower ends thereof, an imperforate horizontal platform having a substantially plane upper work surface, and having a diameter substantially less than the internal diameter ofthe upper portion of the casing, means to removably support and center the platform in the upper portion of the casing in spaced relation above the basket-whereby a substantially continuous gap is provided between the platform and the adjacent walls of the casing, means to. supply water to the casing, a discharge nozzle arranged to play a stream of water upon the platform, and a water pump connecting the discharge nozzle with the portion of the casing below the basket to recirculate water from the casing through the nozzle, whereby water falling upon the platform will flow over the edges of said lower portion of the casing.

5. In a device of the character described, a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and spaced from the upper and lower ends thereof, an imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in said casing and spaced above said basket, the edges of the platform being spaced from the adjacent walls of the casing to provide a substantially continuous and relatively narrow gap about the edge of the platform, means to supply liquid to the casing, a discharge nozzle disposed to play astream of liquid upon the platform, and a liquid pump connecting said discharge nozzle with the portion of the casing below the basket to recirculate liquid from the casing through the nozzle, whereby liquid falling upon said platform will flow over the edges of said platform and through the gap and basket to the lower portion of the casing, said platform being provided with an upstandi g pointed ridge the sides of which flare outwardly to merge into the upper surface of the platform, the pointed ridge being disposed below and extending longitudinally of the center of the stream of liquid issuing from the discharge nozzle.

6. In a dish scrapping device, acasing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and disposed in spaced relation to the upper and lower ends thereof, an imperforate horizontal platform having a substantially plane platform whereby said water will flow over the edges of the platform and through the gap to the basket, said platform being provided with an upstanding pointed ridge the sides of which flare outwardly to merge gradually into the upper surface of the platform, the pointed ridge being disposed longitudinally of the center of the stream of water played upon the platform to reduce splashing of the water played upon the platform.

'7. In a device of the character described, a casing having an enlarged upper portion, a foraminous basket removably disposed in the easing below the enlarged portion thereof and spaced above the bottom of the casing, an imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in a centered position in the enlarged upper portion of the casing, said platform having an area greater than the internal area of the lower portion of the casing and less than the internal area of the enlarged upper portion of the casing, whereby a gap is provided between the periphery of the platform and the adjacent walls of the casing, and means to play a stream of water upon the upper surface of the platform whereby the water will flow over the edges of the platform and through the gap to the basket and lower portion of the casing.

8 In a dish scrapping device, a generally cylindrical casing having an enlarged upper section connected to the main body of the casing by an upwardly and outwardly flared wall, a foraminous basket removably supported in the casing below the flared casing wall and spaced above the bottom of the casing, a disc having a substantially plane upper work surface and having a diameter 1 the water will flow over the edges of the disc and through the gap and flared portion of the casing to the basket and lower casing, and means to recirculate the water from the lower portion of the casing to the discharge nozzle.

9. In a dish scrapping device, a generally cylindrical casing having an enlarged upper section connected to the main body of the casing by an upwardly and outwardly flared wall, a foraminous basket removably supported in the casing below the flared casing wall and spaced above the bottom of the casing, an imperforate disc having a substantially plane upper work surface and hava diameter greater than the internal diameter of the main casing body and less than the internal diameter of the enlarged upper section of the casing, means to removably support the disc in substantially centered horizontal position within the enlarged upper portion of the casing and spaced below the top of the casing, whereby a substantially continuous gap is provided between the disc and the adjacent walls of the casing, means to supply water to the easing, a discharge nozzle arranged to play a stream of water upon the disc whereby the water will flow over the edges of the disc and through the gap and flared portion of the casing to the basket and lower casing, and means to recirculate the water from the lower portion of the casing to the discharge nozzle, said disc being provided on its upper surface with a pointed upstanding ridge the side walls of which are curved to merge gradually into the upper surface of the disc, said ridge being disposed longitudinally of the center of the stream of water issuing from the discharge nozzle.

10. In a device of the character described, a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and spaced from the upper and lower ends thereof, an imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in said casing and spaced above said basket, said platform having a substantially plane upper work surface, the edges of said platform being spaced from the adjacent walls of the casing to provide a substantially continuous relatively narrow gap about the edge of the platform, means to play a stream of liquid upon the imperforate platform whereby said liquid will flow over the edges of said platform and through the gap to the basket, and means to prevent passage of liquid between the periphery of the basket and the adjacent wall of the casing.

11. In a dish scrapping device, a generally cylindrical casing having an enlarged upper section connected to the main body of the casing by an upwardly and outwardly flared wall, a foraminous basket removably supported in the casing below the flared casing wall and spaced above the bottom of the casing, an imperforate disc having a substantially plane upper work surface and having a diameter greater than the internaldiameter of the main casing body and less than the internal diameter of the enlarged upper section of the casing, means to removably support the disc in substantially centered horizontal position within the enlarged upper portion of the casing and spaced below the top of the casing, whereby a substantially continuous gap is provided between the disc and the adjacent walls of the casing, means to supply water to the casing, a discharge nozzle arranged to play a stream of water upon the disc whereby the water will flow over the edges of the disc and through the gap and flared portion of the casing to the basket and lower casing, and means to recirculate the water from the lower portion of the casing to the discharge nozzle, said disc being provided on its upper surface with a pointed upstanding ridge the side walls of which are curved to merge gradually into the upper surface of the disc, said ridge being disposed longitudinally of the center of the stream of water issuing from the discharge nozzle, and said disc supporting means being so constructed and arranged as to align the pointed ridge with the discharge nozzle.

12. In a device of the character described, a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and spaced from the upper and lower ends thereof, an imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in said casing and spaced above said basket, said platform having a substantially plane upper work surface, the edges of said platform being spaced from the adjacent walls of the casing to provide a substantially continuous relatively narrow gap about the edge of the platform, and means to play a stream of liquid upon the imperforate platform whereby said liquid will flow over the edges of said platform and through the gap to the basket, a bracket secured to the upper portion of the casing and extending in spaced relation above the platform, and a dish cleaning implement secured to said bracket and disposed in proximity to the stream of liquid played upon the platform.

13. In a device of the character described, a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and spaced from the lower end thereof, said basket being in substantial contact with the adjacent inner wall of the casing throughout substantially the entire periphery of the basket, a substantially imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in said casing adjacent the upper portion of the basket, said platform having a substantially plane upper work surface, the edges of said platform being spaced from the adjacent walls of the casing to provide a substantially continuous relatively narrow gap about the edge of the platform, and means to play a stream of liquid upon'the imperforate platform whereby said liquid will flow over the edges of said platform and through the gap to the basket.

14. In a device of the character described, a casing, a foraminous basket removably supported in said casing and spaced from the lower end thereof, said basket being in substantial contact with the adjacent inner wall of the casing throughout substantially the entire periphery of the basket, a substantially imperforate horizontal platform removably supported in said casing adjacent the upper portion of the basket, said platform having a substantially plane upper work surface, the edges of said platform being spaced from the adjacent walls of the casing to provide a substantially continuous relatively narrow gap about the edge of the platform, and means to play a stream of liquid upon the imperforate platform whereby said liquid will flow over the edges of said platform and through the gap to the basket, said platform being provided with an upstanding pointed ridge the sides of which flare outwardly, said ridge being disposed below and extending longitudinally of the center of the stream of liquid.

PAUL E. WHITTINGTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 40 Number Name Date 861,647 Goldsmith July 30, 1907 1,169,599 Barker Jan. 25, 1916 1,175,149 Isaacson Mar. 14, 1916 1,561,445 Elsaesser Nov. 10, 1925 1,976,605 Drum Oct. 9, 1934 2,400,879 Hilliker May 28, 1946 

